Fire detecting signal system



Oct. 20, 1936. e. BAMONTE FIRE DETECTING SIGNAL SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sfieet lFiled April 2, 1935 ATTORNEY Oct. 20,1936. 3, BAMONTE 2,058,288

FIRE DETECTING SIGNAL SYSTEM Filed April 2, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l 'l 8W E 8 Giuseppe Bamome- BY Wyz5@% ATTOR N EY Patented Oct. 20, 1936more!) STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to signal equipment for the detection of firesand more particularly to devices adapted to function when subjected toabnormally high temperatures to close an electrio circuit by which .afire alarm is sounded.

It is the primary object of my invention to provide a fire detectingdevice adapted for servicing in conjunction with a fire alarm system,which device will operate to close an electric cirlO cuit when abnormalheat is applied to same, such as resulting from fire.

A further object is to provide in a device of this character a thermalsensitive member of simple and economical construction, the formation ofwhich facilitates its replacement within a fire detecting device.

Another object of my invention is to provide a fire detecting devicewhich, after it has functioned to send in an alarm will display aconspicuous signal indicating that the device requires resetting.

The invention will be fully and comprehensively understood from aconsideration of the following detailed description when read inconnection with the accompanying drawings which form part of theapplication, with the understanding, however, that the improvement iscapable of extended application and is not confined to the exact showingof the drawings nor to the precise construction described and,therefore, such changes and modifications may be made therein as do notaiiect the spirit of the invention nor exceed the scope thereof asexpressed in the appended claims.

5 In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of my fire detecting device with thecover thereof partly broken away.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a typical installationinvolving the use of my fire detecting device; and

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the thermal sensitive member apart from mydevice.

Referring to the drawings for a more detailed description thereof, thenumeral 1 indicates a sheet metal casing of U-shaped cross-sectionhaving opposed longitudinal flanges 8 on each side thereof. A cover 9 isaflixed to the casing I by having its longitudinal edges bent over onthemselves to slidably engage on the flanges 8. Into the upper end ofthe casing l is secured an insulating block ID, a portion of which iscut away to form a recess for the support and housing of an electricswitch ll, thereby forming 5 upstanding members I2 and [3. The member I2.is bored out to receive an electric cable I4, the

conductor terminals of which are connected to the respective terminalsof the switch II. The switch ll comprises angular contact members l5 10which are supported on the block l0 and a contact bar I6 adapted to moveinto engagement with the members [5 to close the circuit The contact barI6 is mounted on the slide rod l1 and insulated therefrom by the bushingI8. The 15 rod ll extends thru the member I 3, its projecting end beingprovided with a hook 19. The opposite end of the rod I1 is supported forsliding action in the bearing 20. A spring 2| surrounds the rod I1 andis so disposed as to urge the contact bar l6 into engagement with thecontact members I5. 20

The portion of the casing 1 beyond the member I3 is provided for housingthe thermal sensitive member or fusible link 22 and the signal means forindicating that the replacement of the link 22 is required. Thissignaling means comprises a signal plate 23 carried on a transverseshaft 24 so that the former may be swung into contact with the undersideof the cover 9. The cover 9 at this area is perforated to form the grill25 thru which the position of the signal plate 23 may be readilyobserved. A spring 26 bearing against the back of the casing 1 pressesagainst the signal plate 23 to urge the latter against the cover 9. Theshaft 24 is suitably journalled in the longitudinal sides of the casingI and has affixed to it a hooked pin 21 to project perpendicularly fromsame.

Reference is now directed to Fig. 6 showing a detailed view of thethermal sensitive member 22, sometimes known as a fusible link. Themember 22 comprises a looped member 28, the projecting ends of which aredisposed in parallelism with each other and a hooked member 29, theprojecting portion of which is disposed between 45 the parallel portionsof the member 28. The projecting portions of the members 28 and 29contact with each other and are soldered together, it being requiredhowever that the solder used be of a sufficiently low melting point to50 function as hereinafter described. In use the ends of the member 22are respectively engaged on the hook l9 and the pin 21, as shown in Fig.2. With the member 22 thus installed, the signal plate 23 will be heldin its rearmost posi- 55 tion against the pressure of spring 26, and thecontact bar 15 will be held apart from the contacts I5 against thepressure of the spring 2|.

At the occurrence of a fire the fusible link 22 will be subjected to atemperature sufficient to cause the solder thereof to melt, thuspermitting the component parts 28 and 29 to separate from each other. Inthis fashion the hook I9 is released so that the spring 2| moves thecontact bar l6 into contact with the members I5, thus closing the firesignal circuit. Simultaneous with this action the spring 26 moves thesignal plate 23 into position against the grill 25 in that the pin 21has been released.

Reference is now directed to Fig. 5 illustrating a typical installationof a fire alarm system incorporating my fire detecting device indicatedby numeral 30. The fire detecting devices 30 may be installed in anydesired number and are to be located for example on the ceiling or nearthe floor so as to be most vulnerable to the eifects of the abnormaltemperature resulting from a fire. The various units 30 in a single roommay be electrically connected in parallel with each other, theconductors from same being extended to the basement of the building. Inan appropriate part of the building, preferably the basement, anannunciator 3| and a fire alarm bell 33 are installed. The fire alarmsignal circuit receives its current from a battery 32 or other suitablesource. The interconnecting wires are so arranged that when a fireoccurs in any part of the building the alarm bell 32 will be sounded andthe location of the fire will be indicated on the annunciator 3|.

What is claimed as new is:

l. A fire detecting device comprising a pair of contactors, a switch, afusible link normally holding said switch open with respest to said contacts, a spring attached to said link and adapted to close said switchwhen said link fuses, a signal plate pivotally mounted at one end andnormally held out of view by said link, a spring for moving said signalplate to a visible position when the link fuses, a casing enclosing thementioned mechanism and having a window, said signal plate normallyextending to the rear of said casing away from said window and behindsaid link.

2. A fire detecting device comprising a pair of contactors, a switch, afusible link normally holding said switch open with respect to saidcontacts, a spring adapted to close said switch when said link fuses, asignal plate pivotally mounted at one end and normally held out of viewby said link, a spring for moving said signal plate to a visibleposition when the link fuses, a casing enclosing the mentioned mechanismand having a window, said signal plate normally extending to the rear ofsaid casing away from said window and behind said link, a pin to whichone end of said link is secured and on which said signal plate ismounted, said signal plate being bent rearwardly away from said pin.

GIUSEPPE BAMONTE.

